"Quantum Shield integrity: 10% remaining!"

"Everyone, brace for combat!"

"Aye!"

In the distance, monstrous battleships unleashed relentless barrages against the Quantum Shield blocking their path. The outer defensive systems—once the final line of protection—lay in ruins. Yet they’d eliminated numerous targets, fulfilling their duty.

Of course, those losses were a drop in the ocean. The fallen enemies barely shifted the tide of battle.

"They’re here."

Kaliya, frontline commander of the last defense line, stood rigid at the forefront. Though Kunard had temporarily assumed overall command, she still led from the front.

"7%."

"4%."

"1%."

*Crack!*

The Quantum Shield shattered. A tidal wave of Preyas surged through the breach.

"All Combatants with ranged capabilities—open fire at will!"

Abilities erupted instantly. Common ones like fireballs and lightning bolts. Rarer attacks: compressed air bullets, unidentifiable energy beams. Bullets, artillery shells, and lasers joined the fray—all launched by Ability Users and non-powered fighters closing in.

Lapthesis was an organization of Ability Users, but many disillusioned soldiers—non-powered humans—fought alongside them.

*BOOM—!*

Combat exploded across the battlefield. Deafening detonations swallowed the mountainside. What should have been lush green slopes now resembled a hellscape: trees incinerated, earth scorched and cratered, flames licking at animal carcasses left behind by those who couldn’t flee.

Lapthesis’s firepower seemed fierce, yet few attacks delivered fatal blows to the Preyas. Suppressive fire barely slowed their advance. The enemy frontline pressed forward as if untouched.

This was why humanity struggled against the Preyas—even with legions of superhumans.

The Preyas’ evolution was terrifying. Their physical resilience defied human comprehension. Their colossal warships outclassed human technology in both offense and defense.

"Preyas shock troops advancing! All Ability Users, prepare for close combat!"

At the vanguard, a wave of Preyas suddenly accelerated—five to six times faster than their main force. Lapthesis’s ranged defenders fired desperately, but the enemy reached their trenches in the blink of an eye.

"Aaahh!!!"

Unlucky non-powered fighters were torn apart before specialized Ability Users rushed to fill the gaps. Stalemate.

"B-Rank ranged Ability Users, flank left and right for suppressive fire. Non-powered personnel—retreat to the battleships!" Kunard’s voice crackled in Kaliya’s earpiece.

"But—" Kaliya hesitated. Their weak firepower still mattered. Their numbers weren’t negligible. Withdrawing them felt wasteful.

"They’re ineffective. Withdraw them *now*! Before the enemy fleet achieves full orbital dominance—get them aboard the three battleships!" Kunard’s tone allowed no argument.

"Aye!"

Kaliya leapt high, her white-bladed gauntlets slicing through a Preyas mid-lunge. "All non-powered personnel—evacuate to the battleships! Move!"

The enemy fleet crawled closer, nearing optimal bombardment range. Lapthesis’s three warships had to launch immediately. No time wasted.

Ground forces clashed in a chaotic maelstrom—abilities flared, blood sprayed, limbs human and Preyas alike flew through the air.

*WHOOSH—*

*BOOOOM—!*

Enemy aircraft arrived. Their warships began indiscriminate orbital strikes. Humanity suffered far more under the rain of fire.

"Ghk—!"

Kaliya staggered, caught in a blast wave. A Preyas seized the opening, slamming a fist into her ribs. Agony ripped through her body.

*FWOOOM—FWOOOM—FWOOOM!*

Thick crimson lasers lanced from the rear, shredding enemy fighters and scarring the lead warship’s hull. Lapthesis’s flagship battle group had entered the fray, fighter squadrons swarming from their bays.

Against anomalies like Lixin, they’d be useless. But these three warships could challenge the enemy’s colossal dreadnought.

A dazzling, horrifying dogfight ignited overhead. Falling wrecks still crushed ground troops, but it was better than one-sided annihilation.

Hours bled away in relentless combat. Casualties mounted horrifically on both sides. Yet while the aerial duel left both fleets crippled, the ground war turned dire. Preyas forces strained against Lapthesis’s crumbling lines. Elite Combatants lay dead or broken. Even Kaliya could barely stand—her body a ruin no normal human could survive.

"So… we truly can’t win a war of attrition…?"

She forced herself upright, blade trembling as she stepped forward.

"Huh?"

A firm hand yanked her backward.

"Enough. You’re out."

Kunard tossed his cloak over her shoulders.

"Now. Let’s end this quickly."